Go Into The Story

Story Type: Ticking Clock

In Hollywood movie circles, there are genres like Horror or Science Fiction, cross genres like Action-Thriller or Drama-Comedy, and…

The Business of Screenwriting: When you don’t get the gig

We are seated in the expansive office of a top Hollywood director and we are having a great time. I mean a really great time. We talk about…

Page One: “Boy Erased” (2018)

Written for the screen by Joel Edgerton, based on the memoir by Garrard Conley

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 5

This is the 14th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Several reasons which I’ll work my…

Interview (Part 3): Greg Roque

My interview with 2022 Black List writer for his script Jerry!

The Pomodoro Technique

Break up writing tasks into half-hour segments with a reward at the end of each completed one.

Great Scene: “Psycho”

78 shots in 45 seconds = One of the most memorable movie scenes ever.

Page One: “The Bourne Ultimatum” (2007)

Screenplay by Tony Gilroy and Scott Z. Burns and George Nolfi, screen story byTony Gilroy, novel by Robert Ludlum

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 4

This is the 14th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Several reasons which I’ll work my…

Interview (Part 2): Greg Roque

My interview with 2022 Black List writer for his script Jerry!

Three-Act Structure as Thesis, Antithesis, Synthesis

How we can apply this theory of dialectics to the story-crafting process.

Screenwriting 101: Monica Beletsky

“What is a pilot story? A pilot story is when a character’s normal life is changed forever by an outsider or outside force. The lead tries…

Page One: “The Bourne Supremacy” (2004)

Screenplay by Tony Gilroy, novel by Robert Ludlum

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 3

This is the 14th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Several reasons which I’ll work my…

Interview (Part 1): Greg Roque

My interview with 2022 Black List writer for his script Jerry!.

Theme = Meaning

More than just the moral or premise of the story, theme can best be understood to be about what a story MEANS.

On Writing

“Young writers often confuse dialogue with conversation, under the assumption that the closer you get to reality, the more convincing you…

Page One: “Born on the Fourth of July” (1989)

Screenplay by Oliver Stone & Ron Kovic, book by Ron Kovic

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 2

This is the 14th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Several reasons which I’ll work…

Go Into The Story Interview: Lexie Tran

My interview with 2022 Black List writer for her script It’s a Wonderful Story.

The Theology of Cinema: Grace

“Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid. I am with you. Nothing can ever separate us.”

Interview (Video): Joel Coen and Ethan Coen

Since The Big Lebowski is being re-released in select theaters on April 16th, here is a 1998 interview with the cinematic duo about the…

Page One: “The Book of Eli” (2010)

Written by Gary Whitta

A Story Idea Each Day for a Month — Day 1

This is the 14th year in a row I’ve run this series in April. Why a story idea each day for the month? Several reasons which I’ll work…

Interview (Part 6): Lexie Tran

My interview with 2022 Black List writer for her script It’s a Wonderful Story.